BajaNomad

Water temps on Cortez side? Pangeros for hire?

Whale-ista - 3-30-2014 at 12:55 PM

I'm packing/planning for a week down south, wondering how water temps are doing on Cortez side, south of Santa Rosalia-ish (still working on itinerary)

Saw a recent post about swimming with whale sharks. Can I do that in swimsuit, or bring a light (shorty) wetsuit to be safe?

Can't bring the kayak this trip (racks not set up on truck), but have a crazy idea to paddle out with a boogie board...minimalist approach!

Is it safe to approach Whale sharks and/or other critters on boogie board? Or are there other critters around that make being exposed in the water a bad idea (orcas etc)

I suppose I can always rent a kayak or go out with a panga until I get my kayak rack set up. Are there pangeros who will take people out to see whale sharks etc, similar to Pacific lagoon whale trips?

Thanks for ideas/suggestions.

dirtbikr - 3-30-2014 at 01:01 PM

Kayak is best, we were just down there at coyote beach, whale sharks were just out about 100 yards, two or three every morn and evening, water is nice, paddling a boogie board would scare them off.

Whale-ista - 3-30-2014 at 01:20 PM

Thanks!

So... are there kayaks available to rent? Pangas for hire?

And how is swimming closer to shore- warm enough in a suit, or wetsuit needed?

willardguy - 3-30-2014 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dirtbikr
Kayak is best, we were just down there at coyote beach, whale sharks were just out about 100 yards, two or three every morn and evening, water is nice, paddling a boogie board would scare them off.
our experience, nothing scares em! bring a spring suit. :yes:

Whale-ista - 3-30-2014 at 02:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Quote:
Originally posted by dirtbikr
Kayak is best, we were just down there at coyote beach, whale sharks were just out about 100 yards, two or three every morn and evening, water is nice, paddling a boogie board would scare them off.
our experience, nothing scares em! bring a spring suit. :yes:


Ha! Thanks Willard.

For a second I thought you were going to recommend "bring a birthday suit"! THAT would scare them!

woody with a view - 3-30-2014 at 02:35 PM

http://www.tempbreak.com/index.php?&cwregion=la

mess with it and change areas.

Mulegena - 3-30-2014 at 03:17 PM

Hire a panga to ferry you about. Whalesharks swim slowly but they're so big they move really fast compared to we mere mortals, even in a kayak. Also, you're so low in the water in a kayak or swimming you just can't see them as they tend to swim just below the surface and don't even make ripples in the water, so if you're serious about an encounter, use a boat.

Yes, you can hire a panga: Daniel on Santispac Beach or Ed of Ed'sWorld on Burro Beach. Ed rents kayaks, too.

The whalesharks have been cruising around Coyote Beach this spring but they can move wherever they want, so ask where they've been most recently seen and get a lift to that particular bay.

Wear a bathing suit, spring suit or your birthday suit. An alternative would be a diveskin which will cover your back & limbs and protect you from sunburn and little prickly bites from microscopic critters in the water (which is what brings the whaleshark in the first place-- dinner!)

Shuffle your feet whenever they come in contact with the ocean floor in the Sea of Cortez. There's small stingrays that hide just under the sand and they'll whack ya' if you step on 'em (i would, too). The barb will penetrate neoprene dive shoes or gloves, so they're really no protection. There's also the occasional scorpionfish and electric ray.

Your Sea of Cortez medical kit:
Drinking Water - stay hydrated, please
Sunscreen - for sunburn prevention
Benedryl Spray, Hydrocortisone Cream, White Vinegar - for scorpionfish and microorganism stings
Campstove & pan & washcloth - for stingray whacks; heat fresh or seawater to very hot, but not too hot; keep a hot compress on the wound until the pain subsides; check wound for barb of the tail, remove yourself or go to clinic in town; apply bandaid and let it heal up.

Have fun!

[Edited on 3-30-2014 by Mulegena]